Lightning Carrying the Trail Dog Relay Baton
Nine month old Lightning (BISS Am/Can Ch. Wolf River's Moonlight Ridge*) had
his first taste of skijoring on the Pederson Snow Loop, southern Oregon. This
winter route goes across 2.5 mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail, and ends
at a small log hut known as the South Brown Mountain Shelter.
Lightning carried the International Trail Dog Baton on our
adventure. We strapped it to the top of his harness. You might be able to just
make it out (the grey tube with white end caps) in these photos. Inside this
baton rides a list of dogs from around the world who have carried it, along with
the date, distance, region, and trail.
We
followed five miles of packed trail thanks to two snowshoers and their dogs who
hiked in ahead of us through two feet of snow. The trial wound through beautiful
snow shrouded old growth forest, and the day was sunny and still.
The puppy was incredible, contributing a great deal of power
along the way. He was wearing a sled dog harness and a skijoring line. I was
treated to wearing the belt that Lightning's line attached to. With him in lead,
the two of us had enough speed to make Paul work pretty hard. I was so proud of
how well Lightning responded to his commands. What a great dog!
Near the far point of our trip, these signs indicated the distance
to Mexico and Canada. The hut was 300 yards ahead, and we were happy to rest
there for awhile, sipping hot cocoa and offering Lightning special treats.
Our lovely trail dog Kiba sadly did not make this trip. We laid the baton on her during her last day with us, and in spirit I know she was with us. This trip was taken to honor her and the many miles we've had together.
The Trail Dog Baton was the brainchild of the Trail Dog List
membership. You can subscribe and learn more on by going to: http://www.egroups.com/subscribe.cgi/Traildog
and following the on screen directions.
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13 week old Lightning assaulting his first Mountain Summit |
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Four month old Lightning plays on a Balanced Rock! |
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Bikejoring with Lightning at five months old |
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Herding Sheep at six months old, Lightning is certainly having fun |
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Showing 7.5 month old Lightning at the SCA National Specialty |
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Challenge Pack Hike at the SCA National Specialty |
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Exploring Washington, DC with 7.5 month old Lightning |
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Our 8 month old boy is featured on a Holiday Greeting Card |
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8.5 month old Lightning on The Point in his first real snowfall |
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Skijoring with the International Trail Dog Baton |
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Lightning Flying at nine months old |
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Lightning is Shrouded in Mist at ten months old |
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10.5 month old Lightning earns his first Title for herding sheep |
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One year old Lightning Kicksleds his way to his Working Samoyed title |
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Racing in the Cascade Skijor Classic at 12.5 months |
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Scootering with Lightning at 13 months old |
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13.5 month old Lightning earns his Working Samoyed Excellent Title! |
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Backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail at 15 months old |
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16 month old Lightning awarded Best Working at Specialty |
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Gate Building with 17 month old Lightning |
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17.5 month old Lightning Dances With Joy for his friends at Point Reyes National Seashore |
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Just shy of 1.5 year old Lightning is Winner's Male at Canadian National |
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19 month old Lightning participates in the 2001 SCA National |
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Running with the Team, 19 month old Lightning trains with his relatives |
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Lightning goes Best of Winners for his first American Championship points |
| 22 month old Lightning teaches his little brother about being a Sled Dog |
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Skijor racing at the Chemult Sled Dog Races at 23 months |
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Winning streak at the Dog Shows |
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Lightning turns Two Years Old |
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Dog scooter Salesmanship |
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First Major for 24 month old Lightning |
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At 25 months Lightning completes his Master Working Samoyed Title!! |
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Lightning finishes his Championship with back to back 5 point majors!! |
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At 2.5 years old, Lightning earns Best Working 2nd year in a row |
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Lightning celebrates Nimbus' 1st Birthday |
| Backpacking in Mountain Lakes Wilderness with brother Nimbus and other "family" members |
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Lightning & Nimbus take a Long Trip across the country |
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Pulling & Herding at the SCA 2002 National |
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Our boys are the Top ISDRA 2-Dog Champion racing team for 2002-2003! |
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Lightning is a Daddy! |
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Nimbus & Lightning run hard at the Priest Lake Sled Dog Race |
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Downloadable Video of Lightning & Nimbus sledding |
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Several Group Placements for Lightning |
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Lightning & Nimbus Survive Mushing Boot Camp |
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Lightning wins an Award Of Merit at the 2003 Samoyed Club of Washington State |
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Nimbus & Lightning win Best In Show Brace at the 2003 & 2004 SCA National Specialties |
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Lightning & Nimbus earn SCA Top Sled Dog Award two years in a row! |
| Lightning goes BEST IN SHOW at the 2004 Samoyed Club of America National Specialty!! |
You might enjoy Lightning's Dog Show and Working achievements.
*Lightning's full name is BISS Am/Can Ch. Wolf River's Moonlight Ridge
WSXM CGC JHD HCT
BISS = Best In Show Specialty (unofficial title)
Am/Can (American & Canadian)
Ch. = Champion (American Kennel Club & Canadian Kennel
Club title)
WSXM = Master Working Samoyed (Samoyed Club of
America title)
CGC = Canine Good Citizen (American Kennel Club title)
JHD = Junior Herding Dog (American Herding Breed Association
title)
HCT = Herding Capability Test (American Herding Breed
Association title)
Lightning's Pedigree
Litters Sired by Lightning
Reflector™ Dog Packs
Banzai™ Dog Packs
Pacific Crest Samoyeds
Wolf River Samoyeds